room addition and adding heat

josephc

we are having a 16ft by 17 ft by 8 ft high tv room addition added onto our home. I have not gotten a firm estimate of required BTUs though the range has been anywhere from 8800 to 12000. Any advice/rules of thumb/direction is appreciated on the calculation (I checked the slantfin site and am trying to use it); located in upstate ny.

my other question is the addition of the heat source. I have a two pipe vapor system/gravity return. My boiler is already large and there is room for more edr. Do most jobs of this scope add on a classic radiator like the rest found in the home or do something else like a steam baseboard or a hydronic loop with circulator? Based on my discussion with builder and the plumber it looks like up to me to get the radiator and give direction.

the existing main and returns have 1 inch supply and 3/4 inch return taps from radiators removed in the past. My initial thoughts are a radiator of 60-70 edr max would give more than enough btu and would be close to limit supplied by the 1 inch pipe. Am I close to knowing what I'm doing?

New England SteamWorks

My advice is to pipe in steam if at all possible. Adding a hot water loop introduces a lot of unneeded expense and complexity. But, that's likely the route they will push you because it is their comfort zone.

Jack

Look at a Rinnai Energysaver EX-11. Modulates from 5500-11000btu. 2.5" hole for the supplied vent. Very reliable.

Steamhead

New England SteamWorks said:

My advice is to pipe in steam if at all possible. Adding a hot water loop introduces a lot of unneeded expense and complexity. But, that's likely the route they will push you because it is their comfort zone.

This. We've done it, and as long as you stay true to the Dead Men's pipe and radiator sizing, it works great.

Zman

Your heat loss estimates look high.
The whole key to this is to get the right steam guy.
The plumber that want's you to provide direction is a huge red flag. He probably is not the right guy for the job.
This book will help you understand how to find the right contractor. https://heatinghelp.com/store/detail/we-got-steam-heat

Brewbeer

Seems to me that if staying with steam, you need to calculate the ratio of ERD to heatloss in the other existing rooms, them size your radiation in the new room keeping this ratio in mind. Also, heat loss in the spaces that will be adjoining the new room, will decrease.

brandonf

Investing in really good insulation will help lower that heat loss. You can go with a vintage radiator or you can buy brand new although they are very pricey. But nothing beats the comfort.

josephc

installed and heating the room well
6 tube 23 inch high by 18 sections

Jamie Hall

Very nice. Glad you did that!

ethicalpaul

Can you link to the radiator you went with? I just bought one from AFSupply and it is comically tiny (although it may heat fine--it has 4 columns and 10 sections, but everything is just like miniatured

PS: I hope it stays toasty for you, I shudder when I see those added-on rooms with 3 exposed walls and an exposed ceiling on a slab

josephc

the radiator is a vintage AERO from the 1920s/30s of the same age as the ones in rest of home. I was fortunate to obtain from neighbor.

jtwern

Not only did you heat it the right way, I see you stayed true with the woodwork. Nicely done!

ethicalpaul

Awesome! It looks great, I thought it was new! All mine have 14 coats of paint on them